Questions regarding breast changes...

I sure hope you don't mind me coming here.. it being Saturday it's driving me crazy before I can talk to the doctor on Monday. Here is my deal. I've always had cystic breasts no matter what time of the month so always hard for me to distingish what kind of lumps and if they've been there or not. Well this is the new stuff happening.. I've noticed some breast changes... in my left breast, it's becoming increasingly painful in one spot up top, and the skin seems to be different now like softer or something there is lumps in there but don't know if they are new or not. My breast does seem to be bigger than normal and now the pain has turned into burning.

I've been reading on this and get the too young and "normally" not painful. Just need to know some FACTS and know what to push my doctor to do. I've had so many bad doctors and doctors missing stuff in my life already don't want them to screw up on this one. And another thing I do have (but have had since I had my son) is the hair follicle thing, nothing real new there.

I'm very scared and don't like feeling like this.

Please ANY info you guys can share I greatly appreciate it!!

Thanks,

Michele

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Michele

I had 2 cysts in 2003 and they did not hurt at all, I could just feel them in my breast. This year I had a lump in the same breast but a different spot and after awhile it began to hurt. The mammogram was very painful. So make sure that you get proper tests done if for no other reason but for your piece of mind. Keep us posted....we care.

I agree with the others, you need to find a doctor who will check your breasts thoroughly. Never let anyone tell you that you are too young. We have had women in their 20s with breast cancer. I think everyone deserves a peace of mind. Remember, if you have a mammogram or sonogram to get copies of written reports to keep where you can refer to them in the future, even if nothing is found. Sometimes there are shadows noticed by the radiologist that may be more meaningful in the future. Let us know what is going on. We care. Hugs MK

Michelle-
Ditto to what the others said---be your own best advocate. I was diagnosed at 30 so Julie is right, don't let them tell you that you are too young, However,......80% of lumps are benign, so don't write this off as cancer yet! Most likely it is benign, but you do need to get it checked. Don't take no for an answer. We don't mean to scare you, just remember we were the ones on the other side of that statistic.

When I found my lump, I went to the GYN first, just because it made sense. I then had to go to my PCP because I had an HMO, and any further tests or referrals had to come from her. I guess it would depend on your insurance (do you need the PCP to coordinate things?).

Good luck, keep us posted!
Lori